Improvement in burners for gas or vapor



G. P. GANSTER.

"Burner for Gas or Vapor.

Patented Aug 20, 1872.

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ANrrE STATES GEORGE l). GANSTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN BURNERS FOR GAS OR VAPOR.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 130,632, dated `August20, 1872.

Specification describing certain Improvements in Burners for Gas andVapor, invented by GEORGE P. GANsTER, of New York city, in the State ofNew York.

There is room for great economy in the use of gas by providing properlyfor great variations in the inagnitude ofthe flame, so that a very smallflame may serve during the day, and favoid a necessity for lighting atnight. This has been often attempted. My invention consists inimprovements in the means of providing therefor. I make a very smallame, and shield the small ame, a-nd remove the shield automatic, ll y.It has long been known that a small flame may be effectually shieldedfrom extinguishment by wind by means `of a small shield or casinginclosing it, with prop- My invention makes it practicable to preserve aminute flame by an analogous shield, and to automat` ically remove thedame beyond the iniiuence of the shield when it is required to i exertits proper illuminating power.

The following is a description of what I consider thebest means ofcarrying out the invention. The accompanying drawing forms a part ofthis specification. y

Figure l is a vertical 'section in the condition for producing a verysmall ame; and Fig. 2 is a corresponding section, showing the conditionwhich the parts automatically assume when the pressure of the gasincreases from any cause. In this latter 'condition a large and strongilluminating flame is produced, and the burner operates without anyincumbrance from the shield which before en* compassed the feeble dame.

Similar letters of reference` indicate like parts in all the gures.

A is a gas-pipe leading from a main, not represented. Al is the base,and A2 the wall, of a cylindrical casing of thin brass or othermaterial, up in the center of which an extension, A3, of the gas-pipe Ais led. The top of the extension A3 is closed with the exception of asmall perforation, indicated by a, which is only of sufficient area tosupply the gas for the smallest flame. A4 is a top tted temporarily orpermanently on the top of the casing A2. A5 is a neck extending up fromthe top A4; and AG-is an enlargement of the neck, forming a suitableinclosing-shield to protect the small flame. The neck A5, asfalso thesented as of the style known as bats wing;

but this style is not absolutely necessary to the success of theinvention. 'The tip Bl is formed of brass or other suitable material,and is mounted on atight tube, B1, which extends downward and looselysurrounds the tube A3 before referred to. It is allowed to slidevvertically thereon within certain limits, as will be presentlydescribed. A shoulder is formed in the interior of the tube B1', whichextends quite around, as indicated at b. This is nicely iinished, and isadapted to close down and rest tightly upon a correspondingly-finishedrim or top of the tube A3. When the tube B1, with its connections, standin their lowest positions, the shoulder b rests on the top of the tubeA3 and forms a tight joint therewith. The tube B1, extending looselydown below the level of the shoulder b, is slotted on each side withvertical slots adapted to slide freely up and down on the projectionsa1,.which extend out from the tube A3, and may be conveniently formed,as represented, by a piece of wire ex tending across the tube andprojecting at each side. Just above the projections al are holes a2. Thevertical slots b1, in the side of the tube B1, must be so placed thatwhen the tube B1 is in its lowest position the apertures a2communicate-with the slots b1, so that the gas within the tube A3 canalways dow out freely through these apertures a2. B2 is the top, and B3the cylindrical sides of a tolerably capacious inverted bell, solderedor otherwise tightly fixed upon the tube B1, and extending down so thatits lower edge will be near the bottom A1 of the apparatus when in itslowest position. This bell is intended to dip into a iiuid and form aseal. Various fluids may be used for this purpose, including glycerineor any which will not freeze or evaporate, but I will describe it asmercury. v The quantity of fluid required is small, by reason of itsbeing conned in a narrow annular space between the inclosing sheet A2and an inner sheet, A7, soldered or otherwise fixed on the bottom andextending upward a sufficient height, as represented. VThe mercury isindicatedn by M.

When the pressure of the gas is reduced, by properly operating a cock ata distant or near point,"or by the ordinary change from nightpressure today-pressure at the gas-works, the pipe B1, with the connected bell B2B3, firmly soldered together and worked as a single piece of metal,descends, and the burner B, being drawn down within the inclosing caseA6, the small quantity of gas issuing burns in a minute flame, amplyprotected from all disturbing iniiuences. Under these conditions thegas, under the gentle pressure, circulates freely outward and inwardVthrough the holes a2, but passes no further in that direction than tosimply circulate in the chamber formed by the bell. There are orifices,not yet referred to, which provide under other conditions for a usefulflow of gas through these apertures a2, but under these conditions theyare inoperative. The small quantity of gas which can iiow under thegentle pressure up through the single oriiice` a is all which reachesthe burner-tip B,

- and the consumption, in case the gas-burner stands under theseconditions for a long period, is very trifling. Now when, by properlyoperating, the gas pressure is increased, the stronger pressure upwardunder the bell B2 B3 causes it to rise as far as allowed by the lengthof the slots b1. This movement lifts the burner-tip B out of theinclosin g case A, and presents it in a fair position to allow the flameto expand into a full illuminating jet. The same movement also providesfor a liberal flow of the gas at the increased pressure to the burner.This isV due to two causes-inst, the shoulder b, which before formed atight joint on the top ofthe tube A3 is lifted far above it, and as thetube B1l below that shoulder is loose around the tube A3, there is roomfor gas to iow up between the two tubes to supply the burner; and,furthermore, or secondly, there are holes b2, which open from theinterior of the bell through the tube B1 and allow the gas from the bellto flow inward into the tube Bll above the top of the tube A3, thusallowing a free and direct How of the gas in the bell into the burner tobe consumed. I may repeat that in the condition for illuminating the gasmay not only flow up through the small' orifice a, and also flow upthrough the loose joint or space between the tube A3 and the tube B1,but may also ilow out through the holes a2 into the interior of the bellB2 B3, and thence back again through the holes b2 into the interior ofthe tube B1 at such a high point th at it has free communication withthe burner.

Some of the benefits due to certain features of my invention may berealized without the presence of the entire combination, but the whole,as arranged, I believe to be the bestform of its development. The bellB?B3'may be contracted greatly in diameter, and if dispensed withaltogether it may be practicable to lift the burner and its attachmentsby the changes of pressure, so as to secure a part of the effect, butwith less delicacy and less certainty.

One point to which I attach some importance nary night pressure and toload it with small shot, as required. B4 is a rim soldered onthe top ofthe part B2, and forming a dish within it. When my device is mounted ina basement near the level of the rear` and at a distance from thegas-works, so that the gas pressure is greatly reduced by the frictionon its passage, it may need no load. When, under' opposite conditions,my device is mounted in the attic of a high building near the gasworks,and especially if on very high ground, the pressure may be so great asto require a deep layer of shot within the cup B4. But in bothsituations there will be the same difference between the day pressureand the night pressure, and the device will automatically sink to make asmall flame on the assumption of the gentle day pressure at the works inthe morning, and automatically rise to give the full ame on the assumingof the stronger night pressure at the works on the approach of night.

The device may be worked thus on the street-lamps of an entire city,operated by the difference between the day and the night pressure, whichusually amounts to a half-inch of water 5 or it may be worked inamanufactory, a church, theater, or dwelling, operated by the samechanges, or by special and more or less appreciable changes induced byother cocks or like devices.

The casing A2 A4 and its several inclosed parts may, if preferred, be ata somewhat greater distance from the burner B; but this distance isnecessarily limited, or the bell will require to be of too great size inorder to lift the great weight involved in the long connections. Undersome conditions it may be eX- pedient to partially bala-nce the weightby a spring or analogous means.

I esteem it important to have the top A4 of the casing removable, toallow easy access to add to or take from the weight on the moving parts.

I claim as my invention- 1. The automatic self-adjusting tip B andshield AA6, combined and arranged for joint operation, so as to shieldor expose the iiame by changes of pressure of the gas, substan vtiallyin the manner and for the purposes herein set forth.

2. The bell B2 B3 having a rim or casing BIl for loading, as shown andarranged, to serve relatively to the gas-supply pipe A A3, and movabletube B1, with the holes or apertures for an increased flow in theelevated position, as herein set forth.

8. In connection with the above the shoul der b, matching on a suitableseat, A3, and forming a tight joint when the flame is small, as shownand described.

4;. In combination with the bell B2 B3 and ically-movable bell B2 B3carrying the tip B and their several connections, as herein shown. Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set lmy hand. this 30th day ofJanuary, 1872, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. P. GANSTER. Witnesses:

WM. G. DEY, ARNOLD HOERMANN.

